Started in 2011, our Pillowcase Ministry sews pillowcases for children at Dell Children’s Hospital here in Austin, TX.
Each month, we deliver an average of 50 pillowcases to Dell Children’s, bringing color and joy to the rooms of the patients who receive them, with a reminder that they are not alone.
In our 15 years of ministry, we’ve sewn and delivered approximately 7,500 pillowcases to date.
How to Get Involved
Each month, our team of volunteers sews pillowcases on their own, at home, before bringing them to the church where they are laid on the Altar rail every third Sunday to be blessed and prayed over by our congregation.
After they have been blessed, volunteers take pillowcases home to wash and iron them, before returning them to Northwest Hills UMC to be delivered to Dell Children’s Hospital, who distribute the pillowcases to patients.
Fabric to make the pillowcases is purchased with donations to the ministry as well as self-funded by the volunteers.
How to Make a Pillowcase
We follow the instructions published by Ryan’s Case for Smiles, known as the “Hot Dog” approach to pillowcase sewing.
You can download the instructions, complete with images to help you follow along, below.